Rotatable Horizontal Power Socket for Servers

The present disclosure relates to power connectors and socket modules used in electronic systems, and more particularly to a rotatable, side-insertion power socket module for printed circuit boards (PCBs) in servers.

Modern computing systems such as high-performance computing (HPC) clusters, artificial intelligence (AI) servers, and edge computing modules require compact and efficient power delivery solutions. As these platforms increasingly adopt modular architectures and higher power densities, the physical layout and connectivity of power interfaces become critical to overall system reliability, airflow efficiency, and serviceability.

Conventional power socket designs typically involve vertical plug-in orientations, with the socket mounted on a chassis or metal frame and the plug inserted externally. This structure often limits spatial flexibility, obstructs vertical clearance above the motherboard or PCB, and complicates internal cable routing. Additionally, such configurations are prone to cable interference, difficult manual access during maintenance, and increased susceptibility to electrical noise.

These limitations are particularly problematic in low-profile, high-density environments such as 1U/2U servers, blade server enclosures, GPU compute clusters, and industrial control modules, where vertical space is scarce and precise cable management is essential.

There is a need in the industry for a compact, PCB-mountable power socket module that supports horizontal (side) insertion, ensures proper orientation through mechanical guidance, enables indexed rotational positioning to optimize cable routing, and incorporates locking mechanisms to ensure secure electrical and mechanical coupling.

The present invention addresses these needs by providing a rotatable, side-insertion power socket module with angular locking, anti-misplug features, and modular integration capabilities tailored to modern high-density electronic systems.

A system comprising one or more computers can be configured to perform specific operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof installed on the system. This configuration, in operation, causes the system to perform the desired actions. One or more computer programs can also be configured to perform particular operations by including instructions that, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the specified actions.

In one general aspect, a rotatable power socket may include a base structure configured to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The base structure may include a plurality of electrical terminals extending downward from its bottom surface for electrical connection to the PCB. The rotatable power socket may also include a rotatable socket body that is rotatably coupled to the base structure and configured to rotate relative to it about an axis substantially perpendicular to the PCB. The rotatable socket body may comprise a socket interface configured to receive an external power plug inserted along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the PCB, and a plug retention assembly configured to retain the external power plug after insertion. The socket may further include a rotational locking assembly disposed between the base structure and the rotatable socket body, configured to provide discrete rotational positions of the rotatable socket body relative to the base structure. Other embodiments of this aspect may include corresponding computer systems, apparatuses, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the described methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The rotational locking assembly may include a gear ring coupled to the rotatable socket body and having a plurality of detents spaced at uniform angular intervals. The detents may be spaced at 30-degree or 45-degree intervals to define the discrete rotational positions. The rotational locking assembly may further include a spring-loaded ball disposed in the base structure and biased toward the gear ring to engage the detents. The spring-loaded ball may be held in position by a fastener secured within the base structure. The plug retention assembly may include a sliding latch disposed on a lateral side of the base structure and configured to lock the external power plug upon insertion. The sliding latch may be manually disengaged by sliding it in a direction opposite to the plug insertion direction. An LED indicator may be disposed on an exterior surface of the rotatable socket body and configured to emit light in response to electrical engagement with the external power plug. One or more plug alignment structures may be disposed at or near the socket interface and configured to restrict the insertion orientation of the external power plug. The plug alignment structures may include one or more of an insertion guide surface, an anti-misplug groove, or a directional-restricting groove. The socket interface may be configured to receive a standardized AC power plug or a high-current DC power connector. The base structure may include an internal cable routing guide configured to electrically connect the socket interface to the electrical terminals. Implementations of the described techniques may be embodied in hardware, as a method or process, or as instructions stored on a tangible computer-readable medium.

In another general aspect, a power distribution system may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a rotatable power socket mounted on the PCB. The rotatable power socket may include a base structure mounted to the PCB and having a plurality of electrical terminals extending into the PCB, a rotatable socket body coupled to the base structure and rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the PCB, the socket body including a socket interface configured to receive a power plug inserted along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the PCB, a rotational locking assembly configured to provide discrete rotational positions of the socket body relative to the base structure, and a plug retention assembly configured to retain the power plug after insertion. Other embodiments of this aspect may include corresponding computer systems, apparatuses, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the described methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The PCB may be part of a motherboard of a server. The plug retention assembly may include a sliding latch disposed on a lateral side of the base structure and configured to lock the power plug after insertion. The rotatable power socket may include an LED indicator disposed on the socket body and configured to emit light in response to engagement between the power plug and the electrical terminals of the rotatable power socket. Implementations of the described techniques may be embodied in hardware, as a method or process, or as instructions stored on a tangible computer-readable medium.

In another general aspect, the method may include providing a base structure configured to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The method may also include installing a plurality of electrical terminals extending downward from the bottom of the base structure for electrical connection to the PCB. Furthermore, the method may include assembling a rotatable socket body configured to rotate relative to the base structure about an axis substantially perpendicular to the PCB, and integrating a socket interface into the socket body. The socket interface is configured to receive a power plug inserted along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the PCB. Other embodiments of this aspect may include corresponding computer systems, apparatuses, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the method.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method may include assembling a rotational locking assembly between the base structure and the rotatable socket body, where the rotational locking assembly includes a gear ring with a plurality of detents spaced at uniform angular intervals, and a spring-loaded ball biased toward the gear ring and positioned to engage the detents. The method may include attaching a plug retention mechanism to a lateral surface of the base structure, the mechanism including a sliding latch configured to engage the power plug upon insertion. The method may also include installing an LED indicator on an exterior surface of the rotatable socket body and electrically coupling it to one or more of the electrical terminals for activation upon successful plug engagement. Implementations of the described techniques may be embodied in hardware, as a method or process, or as instructions stored on a tangible computer-readable medium.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these details. Moreover, while various embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed herein, many adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure in accordance with the common general knowledge of those skilled in this art. Such modifications include the substitution of known equivalents for any aspect of the disclosure in order to achieve the same result in substantially the same way.

illustrates examples of conventional power plug types, including a C14 AC inlet (left) and an 8-pin GPU power connector (right), both of which are commonly used in server systems, desktop computers, and high-performance computing equipment. These plug types are designed for vertical insertion into a corresponding chassis-mounted power socket, typically located on the rear or side panel of the enclosure.

In such traditional systems, the power socket is mounted on the chassis or metal frame, while the printed circuit board (PCB)—such as a motherboard, backplane, or power distribution board—is located inside the enclosure. Electrical power from the plug is routed through the chassis-mounted socket and connected to the PCB using internal power cables. These cables distribute current to downstream loads, including voltage regulators, CPUs, memory modules, GPUs, and other ICs mounted on the PCB.

While this chassis-mounted architecture is widely used, it presents multiple limitations—especially as server systems evolve toward thinner, denser, and more modular configurations. Vertically inserted plugs protrude inward into the system enclosure and occupy valuable space directly above the PCB, which could otherwise be used for airflow management, heat sinks, or additional component stacking. The use of long internal cables also increases complexity, creates cable routing challenges, and introduces electrical inefficiencies and potential EMI issues. Maintenance becomes more difficult, as replacing or reconfiguring such sockets often requires partial system disassembly.

These limitations are particularly problematic in high-density environments such as 1U/2U rack servers, blade server nodes, edge computing enclosures, and GPU clusters. These systems require low-profile, compact layouts with optimized thermal and mechanical design. Accordingly, a power socket that supports horizontal insertion—i.e., along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the PCB—is better suited to these form factors. By mounting the socket directly onto the PCB and receiving the plug from the side, such a configuration avoids vertical obstruction and eliminates the need for intermediate wiring, simplifying assembly and improving airflow and spatial efficiency. As used in this disclosure, “substantially parallel” indicates that the direction of movement or alignment is generally in the same plane as a reference surface or axis, including small angular deviations (e.g., within ±15 degrees) that do not interfere with the intended low-profile or side-access design of the system. Similarly, “substantially perpendicular” refers to orientations that are generally orthogonal to a reference surface or axis, allowing for minor angular deviations (e.g., within ±15 degrees) that do not affect the functional alignment or engagement of the components.

In addition, the rotatable power socket described in the present disclosure introduces a rotatable socket body that allows the installer to adjust the plug orientation after insertion. Through a rotational locking assembly that provides discrete angular positions (e.g., every 30 or 45 degrees), the socket can be tuned to accommodate specific cable routing paths within the system enclosure. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in data centers and OEM designs where space constraints, airflow zones, and adjacent components vary from system to system. The combination of horizontal insertion and indexed rotational adjustment enables a compact, adaptable, and serviceable power delivery interface tailored to modern computing infrastructure.

In the following figures, reference numerals are used consistently to identify structural elements of the rotatable power socket. The reference numerals and their corresponding component names are listed below:

illustrates a perspective view of a rotatable power socketmounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In these embodiments, the PCBmay be a motherboard, backplane, or another type of printed circuit substrate used in high-density computing systems. As used herein, the term “motherboard” is not limited to traditional motherboards found in standard computer systems, but broadly includes various types of PCBs deployed in dense electronic platforms. These may include, but are not limited to, server backplanes, power distribution boards, communication equipment baseboards, and control boards for AI computing modules. The rotatable power socket module may be directly soldered to or mechanically fastened onto such PCBs for deployment.

In the embodiment illustrated in, the rotatable power socketincludes two main structural components: a fixed base structureand a rotatable socket bodydisposed on top of the fixed base structure. The base structureis mechanically secured to the PCBand includes a plurality of electrical terminals (not visible in) extending downward from its bottom surface, configured for electrical and mechanical connection to the PCB. The base structureprovides stable mechanical support for the overall socket, while also facilitating the transmission of electrical power received from an external plug to circuitry and components on the PCB.

The rotatable socket bodyis coupled to the base structurein a manner that allows the rotatable socket bodyto rotate relative to the base structureabout an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the PCB. A socket interfaceis formed on a front face of the rotatable socket body, facing outward and configured to receive an external power plug (not shown in). The socket interfaceis oriented such that the external power plug can be inserted horizontally, or substantially parallel to the PCB, to optimize the use of limited vertical space within a chassis or enclosure. In some embodiments, the socket interfacecan be adapted or configured to support specific plug types, such as a standardized AC inlet (e.g., C14 type) or a high-current DC connector (e.g., GPU 8-pin plug).

Disposed on a lateral side of the base structureis a plug retention assembly, illustrated as a sliding latch. In some embodiments, the sliding latchis integrated into the base structureand is configured to automatically engage with the external power plug when it is fully inserted. For example, the plug retention assemblyincludes a spring-loaded cam or catch mechanism that permits the plug to slide past the latch during insertion. Once the plug reaches its fully inserted position, the spring bias causes the latch of the plug retention assemblyto snap into a retention groove or recess formed on the external power plug, thereby mechanically securing the plug in place. This prevents accidental disconnection due to vibration, mechanical stress, or incidental contact. In some embodiments, to remove the plug, a user may manually slide the latch outward or downward, in a direction opposite to the plug locking direction, to disengage the catch from the retention groove.

In some embodiments, an LED indicatoris provided on an exterior surface, such as the top surface (as shown in) or the side surface, of the rotatable socket body. This LED indicatorserves as a visual confirmation of successful electrical engagement between the external power plug and the internal socket contacts. In some implementations, activation of the LED indicatoroccurs upon detecting electrical connection, mechanical locking engagement of the plug, or a combination thereof.

Internally, the rotatable power socketincludes a rotational locking assembly (not visible in) positioned within or across the base structureand the rotatable socket body. This rotational locking assembly enables selective rotation of the rotatable socket bodyrelative to the base structureand secures it at discrete rotational positions. This rotational capability provides flexibility in plug orientation and cable routing, thereby accommodating various system configurations and cable management strategies. Additional details of the rotational locking assembly and its internal components will be described further with reference to subsequent figures.

illustrates an exploded view of the rotatable power socket (in) configured for horizontal plug insertion on a printed circuit board (PCB), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The exploded view reveals the internal structure and individual components that work in concert to achieve horizontal plug orientation, rotational adjustability, electrical connectivity, and mechanical retention.

The rotatable power socketincludes a rotatable socket body (in), which houses the internal components and features a socket interfaceat its front. The socket interfaceis configured to receive an external power plug (not shown) inserted along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the PCB, thus enabling horizontal plug insertion that reduces vertical clearance requirements. To aid alignment and prevent improper insertion, the socket interfaceincludes an insertion guide interface. An anti-misplug grooveis also provided to ensure that the external power plug can only be inserted in a correct and predefined orientation. In some embodiments, the plug alignment structures may further include a directional-restricting groove, which may function similarly to or in conjunction with the anti-misplug groove to constrain the plug to a specific orientation during insertion.

Inside the rotatable socket body, a cable routing trackserves as the internal conductor, routing the power cableand the electrical signals from the socket interfaceto the electrical terminals that connect to the PCB. These electrical terminals are implemented as solder pins, which extend downward from the bottom surface of the base structure. The solder pinsprovide both mechanical anchoring and electrical connectivity between the rotatable power socket and the underlying PCB.

The rotatable socket body is coupled to the base structurein a manner that enables rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the PCB surface. To provide discrete and stable rotational positioning, a rotational locking assembly is disposed internally between the socket body and the base structure. In some embodiments, the rotational locking assembly includes a gear ringaffixed to the rotatable socket body, a spring-loaded ballseated in the base structure, and a compression springthat biases the balltoward the gear ring. As the socket body rotates, the spring-loaded ballengages with detents formed on the gear ring, each detent corresponding to a discrete angular position (e.g., every 30° or 45°). The engagement between the balland detents on the gear ringoffers tactile feedback and secure positional locking, preventing unwanted rotation during use. A fixing screwor another form of fastener is used to secure the assembly of the gear ringand the ballin place within the base structure.

In some embodiments, to limit the range of rotational motion and prevent over-rotation, an orientation-limiting gearis positioned coaxially with the gear ringand rotates together with the gear ringas part of the rotatable socket body. The orientation-limiting gearincludes one or more protrusions or tabs distributed along its circumference. These protrusions are configured to interact with physical stop features or cavities formed inside the base structure. As the socket body is rotated, the protrusions on the orientation-limiting gearmechanically contact the stop features, thereby defining a bounded rotational arc—e.g., 90° or 180°, depending on the configuration. This mechanical interaction serves as a hard stop that prevents further rotation beyond the intended range, thereby ensuring that internal cables or conductors routed between the socket body and the PCB do not become twisted, strained, or coiled due to excessive rotation.

Externally, the plug retention assemblyis mounted on a lateral side of the base structure. In the illustrated embodiment, this retention assembly includes a sliding latch that engages the external power plug after insertion, mechanically securing it to prevent loosening or disconnection due to vibration or cable tension. The latch is configured to be manually disengaged by sliding it in the direction opposite the plug insertion direction, enabling easy one-handed removal of the plug when desired.

A cable routing trackis also shown, which may be formed within the rotatable socket body. This routing trackorganizes internal wiring such as power cable, ensuring proper spacing and reducing the risk of mechanical interference during socket rotation. The cable routing trackalso helps manage electromagnetic interference (EMI) and contributes to the structural integrity of the overall assembly.

illustrates a cross-sectional view of the rotatable power socket (in) configured for horizontal plug insertion on a printed circuit board (PCB), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. This figure illustrates the internal configuration of the rotatable power socket and shows the interaction between key components responsible for the electrical connectivity, rotational adjustability, and mechanical retention.

As mentioned before, the rotatable power socket includes a rotatable socket body, which houses the socket interfaceand is rotatably coupled to a fixed base structure. The socket interfaceis disposed at a side surface (considered as a front face) of the rotatable socket bodyand is configured to receive an external power plug (not shown) along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the PCB. The socket interfaceincludes an insertion guide interfacefor plug alignment and an anti-misplug grooveto enforce correct plug orientation. A plug retention assembly(corresponding to the latchof), illustrated in its engaged position in this cross-section, is mounted on the lateral side of the base structureand extends into the cavity of the socket bodyto mechanically secure the plug after insertion.

Inside the rotatable socket body, a power cableroutes electrical current from the socket interfaceto the solder pins, which extend downward through the base structurefor electrical and mechanical connection to the PCB. The power cablepath is guided and protected by a pair of cable routing tracks, which organizes internal wiring to prevent tangling or mechanical interference during rotation.

The rotatable socket bodyis supported by and configured to rotate relative to the base structureabout an axis substantially perpendicular to the PCB. A rotational locking assembly is integrated within the rotatable socket bodyand the base structureto enable controlled angular adjustments and stable positioning. As shown in, this assembly includes a gear ringaffixed to the inner wall of the rotatable socket body, such that the gear ringrotates together with the rotatable socket body. The gear ringfeatures circumferentially spaced detents that are engaged by a spring-loaded ballhoused within the base structure. A compression spring, held in place by a fixing screw, biases the ball(therefore it is also called a spring-loaded ball) toward the gear ring, causing the spring-loaded ballto snap into the detents and provide discrete angular positions. This mechanism offers tactile feedback and maintains rotational stability during operation.

A cooperating orientation-limiting gearis also disposed adjacent to the gear ringand works in combination with fixed stops or contours within the base structureto define a bounded angular rotation range. This prevents over-rotation that could damage internal wiring or interfere with nearby components. The location and engagement of the orientation-limiting gearensure rotation within a predefined angular envelope—e.g., 90° or 180°—depending on implementation.

Finally, the LED indicatoris mounted on an upper surface of the rotatable socket bodyand provides visual confirmation of successful plug engagement. The LEDmay be activated by current sensing, mechanical switching, or other detection mechanisms upon plug insertion and full locking engagement, offering immediate feedback to the user or installer.

In the illustrated embodiment (e.g.,and), the rotational locking assembly includes a gear ringaffixed to the inner wall of the rotatable socket body. The gear ring features a series of detents spaced along its outer edge at uniform angular intervals (e.g., every 30° or 45°). These detents are mechanically engaged by a spring-loaded ball, which is housed in the base structureand biased outward by a compression spring. As the socket body is rotated, the ballsnaps into successive detents, providing tactile feedback and stable, discrete rotational positions. As used herein, “affixed” refers to a functional attachment that includes both direct and indirect connections, such as through one or more intermediate structures that transmit rotational motion or mechanical constraint. The gear ringmay be connected to the rotatable socket bodydirectly or via coupling elements, provided that the gear ringrotates in concert with the rotatable socket body as part of a unified structure.

In some embodiments, alternative forms of gear rings may be used to implement different locking mechanisms. For example, the gear ringmay take the form of a flat circular plate with a plurality of cavities or depressions formed on one of its planar surfaces and distributed in a circular pattern. The spring-loaded ball may be positioned to press axially against this surface, such that it engages with the cavities as the plate rotates. In this configuration, the cavities function as detents, and the interaction between the ball and the surface of the plate provides the same rotational indexing and locking effect.

In other embodiments, the rotational locking mechanism may include a toothed or sawtooth-shaped ring, where each tooth represents a discrete stop. The spring-loaded element may be replaced or supplemented by a flexible tab, cam follower, or resilient finger, which rides over the tooth profile and settles into the valleys between teeth. In yet another variation, a ratcheting mechanism or click-wheel-like structure may be used to provide audible and tactile feedback during rotation.

illustrate two perspective views of the rotatable power socket configured for horizontal plug insertion on a printed circuit board (PCB), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures illustrate the external appearance, mounting structure, and rotational functionality of the rotatable socket assembly.

As shown in both figures, the rotatable socket bodyis mounted on the PCBvia a base structure that provides mechanical support and electrical connectivity. A plurality of solder pinsextend downward from the bottom surface of the socket assembly and penetrate the PCB. These solder pinsserve as the electrical terminals for delivering power from the external plug—received at the front-facing socket interface—to circuits and components mounted on the PCB. The penetration of the solder pinsthrough the PCBalso facilitates robust mechanical anchoring and secure electrical contact through conventional through-hole soldering or other mounting techniques.

The rotatable socket bodyis configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the PCB, allowing the socket interface (not visible in the rear view of, partially visible in the side view of) to be oriented in multiple directions. In the embodiment illustrated in, the socket bodyis shown rotated by approximatelydegrees relative to its position in, which corresponds to a different angular position supported by the internal rotational locking assembly (as previously detailed in). This rotational adjustability enables the external power plug to be inserted from different directions, accommodating diverse system layouts, cable routing requirements, and spatial constraints within a chassis or enclosure.

In both views, the LED indicatoris positioned on the top surface of the rotatable socket body. In addition to providing visual confirmation of successful electrical engagement—such as when the external power plug is fully inserted and securely locked—the placement of the LED indicatormay also serve as a visual reference for the orientation of the socket interface. For example, the LED indicatormay be located adjacent to the side of the rotatable socket bodywhere the socket interface is positioned, thereby offering users an intuitive visual cue to help identify the direction for plug insertion.

The plug retention assemblyis visible on the lateral side of the socket assembly in both figures. As described earlier, the plug retention assemblyincludes a sliding latch configured to engage and secure the external power plug in place upon insertion, thereby preventing unintentional disconnection due to mechanical shock, vibration, or cable tension. The latch may be disengaged manually to release the plug when desired.

is a flowchart of an example process. In some implementations, one or more process blocks ofmay be performed by a manufacturing device.

As shown in, processmay include providing a base structure configured to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) (block). For example, the manufacturing device may provide a base structure designed to be mounted on a PCB, as described above.